Amish bakeries offer a unique glimpse into a world where baking still relies on the hands, heart, and heritage. From hand-shaped loaves to pies baked in wood-fired ovens, these traditional methods tell a story of simplicity and community. Take a look at the techniques that Amish bakers have perfected over generations—techniques that might just inspire your next kitchen adventure.
Natural Leavening
Amish bakers use natural leavening agents like sourdough starters instead of commercial yeast, enhancing flavor and digestibility.
From-Scratch Ingredients
Everything is made from scratch with simple, wholesome ingredients, avoiding preservatives and artificial additives.
Wood-Fired Ovens
Traditional wood-fired ovens are used, which distribute heat evenly and can impart a slightly smoky flavor.
Seasonal and Local Ingredients
Utilizing seasonal and locally sourced ingredients supports the local economy, ensures freshness, and enhances flavor.
Hand Mixing and Shaping
Doughs are hand-mixed and shaped, allowing bakers to add a personal touch and affect texture.
Slow Baking Processes
Recipes often require slow baking, which allows flavors to fully develop and breads to achieve the perfect crust and crumb.
Old-World Recipes
Many traditional recipes date back hundreds of years, preserving heritage and cherished family traditions.
Use of Lard
Lard is used instead of butter or oil in many recipes, enhancing the flakiness of pastries and pies and adding depth to flavors.
Minimalist Techniques
Techniques reflect Amish values of simplicity and humility, believed to enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Community Baking Days
Baking is a community activity where knowledge and techniques are shared, maintaining product quality and consistency while reinforcing community connections.
These 11 Foods Are The Best Part of Amish Culture
Moving to Amish country last year was like stepping into a whole new world, right in the heart of rural serenity. Our Amish neighbors, with their unmatched hospitality, didn’t just help us set up our new home and barn; they introduced us to the heart of their culture through the most incredible way possible – their food.
Between bites of garden-fresh produce and home-cooked meals that tasted like love on a plate, we discovered that the simplicity and community spirit of Amish life are deeply woven into their culinary traditions. These 11 foods we’re about to dive into are not just meals; they’re an invitation to experience the richness of Amish culture.
Read it Here: These 11 Foods Are The Best Part of Amish Culture
11 Italian Foods Americans Totally Made Up That You Won’t Find In Italy
As a second generation Italian-American, I grew up eating a lot of Italian food. I’ve also been to Italy eight times and can tell you that all those dishes you know and love from your favorite local Italian food restaurant aren’t actually from Italy. Americans have taken Italian concepts and made them bigger, cheesier, meatier and more convenient. That part shouldn’t really come as surprise, it’s what we do here, right? But seeing some of your favorites in this list may feel like a sucker punch to the gut. In a delicious way of course.
Read it Here: 11 Italian Foods Americans Totally Made Up That You Won’t Find In Italy
Select images provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
